What is Genuine Leather?
Genuine leather is made from real animal hide, mostly from cows but cannot be compared with full grain and top grain leather. Real leather is obtained from second layers beneath the outermost layer referred to as the top grain. This is still referred to as real leather however, it undergoes further treatment making it more even, in fact some of the natural flaws are often masked so skillfully.
Synthetic leather is used mostly in higher end leather products such as formal and casual wear, or expensive wallets, belts, shoes, and leather bags. It does not have the same longevity and durability as finer grain leathers, but it does provide a true smooth leather handle at a lower price.
Understanding Leather Types
To fully grasp what genuine leather is, it’s essential to understand how it compares to other leather types:
Full Grain Leather
This is the best category of leather derived from top grain of the skin of the animal, particularly the cow. It is left uncoated to retain the hide’s flaws and is the most durable of all COW Hide Treatment options. One of the greatest advantages of full grain leather is that it forms a sleek patina when used, which does not have to be admonished by repeated usage.
Top Grain Leather
Top grain leather is also less supple than full grain leather, but it is also not quite as thin. It’s made from the same top layer, but it is sanded and polished to give it a smooth-looking surface or feel. But welding reduces the durability of leather as it is sanded during the making of this leather though full grain leather has higher durability.
Genuine Leather
Top grain leather is real leather that is cut from the layers beneath the outermost layer of the skin. They can mostly be given dyes or finishes so that they appear to be uniform. It is still very strong but does not wear a look of aging or a patina like full grain or top grain leather.
PU Leather
PU (Polyurethane) leather is a man-made genuine leather created when split leather is coated with polyurethane. Slower, cheaper and resemble real leather in texture and offers no durability and aging like real leather.
Vegan Leather
What you actually have in vegan leather is the fact that is does not contain any animal inputs and is therefore synthetic leather. It can be made from PVC or polyurethane and even more fancy materials like fungal mycelium or pineapple leaf fiber. Though P.U. Leather is a completely non-leather material, it does not have the real essence and the strength of real leather.
Saffiano Leather
A sort of leather (or sometimes synthetic leather) that has a cross pattern etched on to its surface. It holds a rough look and is very hard wearing and less prone to scuffs but does not have the true finish and worn appearance of full grain leather.
How to Distinguish Real Leather
Selecting quality leather can sometimes be a daunting task because it is usually dyed or treated to resemble a better grade of leather. Here are some ways to tell if you’re looking at genuine leather:
Feel: Real leather is comparatively slightly rigid to those of full grain or top grain leather varieties. It is not as smooth or flexible as real leather but really has the feel and appearance of genuine leather not PU leather or vegan leather.
Smell: Real leather will have a smell like leather not as specific as full grain or top grain leather. Synthetic leather, by contrast, has a chemical or plastic smell that is detectable when in close contact with it.
Look: Although finished leather can look like one piece of material because it is, it lacks the character of full grain leather and the irregularities that come with it. It is usually polished to have a uniformly textured surface.
Price: It can be even cheaper than full grain and top grain leather but more costly than synthetic materials including PU or vegan leather.
Types of Genuine Leather
While genuine leather is generally considered a lower-tier leather, there are still variations within this category:
Corrected Grain Leather: One kind of genuine leather that has been through the manufacturing process is sanded and buffed for some features to be leveled then an artificial grain is molded on the leather surface.
Split Leather: This is the outermost layer of the hide after removal on the top grain have been carried out. It is less strong and also less long-lasting in comparison with top grain or full grain leather used in cheap products or as a combination of leather and PU coatings.
Bonded Leather: A material made from leather wastes and fibers which are then glued together. This leather is made up of only a small amount of leather and is considered the least of all leather.
How is Genuine Leather Made?
The production process for genuine leather involves several steps to transform the animal hide into usable material:
Preparation: Most importantly the hide is washed to reduce accumulation of hair, fats and other residue materials. This makes it ready for tanning.
Tanning: The hide, therefore, undergoes some chemical treatment to preserve it. Chromophore tanning is preferred on genuine leather as it is time efficient and cheaper than vanity tanning.
Splitting: The hide is subdivided into layers although they are very thin. The second piece of leather is for full grain or top grain leather and the rest pieces are for genuine leather.
Finishing: Like any other material, genuine leather is usually colored or finished with dyes or other layers of synthetic material to offer it a layered look. This treatment conceals flaws and gives a smooth finish and is used frequently.
Benefits of Genuine Leather
Though genuine leather is not the highest quality, it still offers several benefits:
Affordability: It is cheaper than full grain or top grain leather and certainly fits those who want real leather yet cheap.
Durability: This is because, compared to other full-grain leathers, genuine leather is durable and stronger than leather materials such as PU leather, or also referred to as vegan leather.
Authenticity: Cut from real animal skin thus, it is a little more real than artificial types of leathers known in the market.
Leather Care Tips for Genuine Leather
Proper care can extend the life of genuine leather products:
Cleaning: It is important to damp the leather with water to help remove dirt and dust in the surfaces. Do not wash it with strong detergents, since it will harm the material of the leather.
Storage: Keep genuine leather products in a cool area and out of direct sunlight exposure.
FAQs - What is Genuine Leather?
Is genuine leather real leather?
Yes, real leather is a type of leather derived from animal skin, commonly referred to as genuine leather.
Does 100% leather mean genuine leather?
100% leather means that it is genuine leather, but it does not tell us whether it is good quality or not. It might be full grain, top grain or genuine leather.
Is genuine leather cheap?
The genuine leather is relatively cheaper to full grain or top grain leather and is, however, more costly than synthetic leather like PU leather or vegan leather. Its price corresponds to its middle-market status.
